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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital for this eCopy to review
"The Bookshop of Secrets" by Kerry Barrett is a captivating novel.
Set in Lisbon during the tumultuous times of World War II, the story follows Lara Hope, a young woman seeking solace and a fresh start after the tragic death of her father. Lara's journey takes her to a serene bookshop owned by her kind and welcoming landlady. However, her seemingly peaceful life takes an unexpected turn when she witnesses a mysterious customer secretly swapping a book, sparking her curiosity and leading her into a world of hidden secrets.
As Lara delves deeper into the mysteries of the bookshop, she uncovers a web of intrigue that connects her new friends, potential love interests, and even royalty. The author skilfully weaves together themes of love, friendship, and courage, while vividly portraying the historical backdrop of Lisbon during the war.
"The Bookshop of Secrets" has a rich and immersive atmosphere. The bookshop, with its shelves filled with stories and secrets, becomes a character in its own right, providing a sense of refuge and wonder for both Lara and the reader. The historical details are well-researched and seamlessly integrated into the narrative, enhancing the authenticity of the setting.
The plot is well-paced, with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged without overwhelming the reader. Lara's personal growth and her interactions with the supporting characters add depth to the story, making you care about their fates and the secrets they hold. The romance is subtle yet satisfying, adding an extra layer of warmth to the narrative.
Overall, "The Bookshop of Secrets" is a heart warming and intriguing read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and mystery. Kerry Barrett has crafted a delightful tale that reminds us of the power of books to connect us to the past and to each other.
"The Bookshop of Secrets" by Kerry Barrett is a captivating novel.
Set in Lisbon during the tumultuous times of World War II, the story follows Lara Hope, a young woman seeking solace and a fresh start after the tragic death of her father. Lara's journey takes her to a serene bookshop owned by her kind and welcoming landlady. However, her seemingly peaceful life takes an unexpected turn when she witnesses a mysterious customer secretly swapping a book, sparking her curiosity and leading her into a world of hidden secrets.
As Lara delves deeper into the mysteries of the bookshop, she uncovers a web of intrigue that connects her new friends, potential love interests, and even royalty. The author skilfully weaves together themes of love, friendship, and courage, while vividly portraying the historical backdrop of Lisbon during the war.
"The Bookshop of Secrets" has a rich and immersive atmosphere. The bookshop, with its shelves filled with stories and secrets, becomes a character in its own right, providing a sense of refuge and wonder for both Lara and the reader. The historical details are well-researched and seamlessly integrated into the narrative, enhancing the authenticity of the setting.
The plot is well-paced, with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged without overwhelming the reader. Lara's personal growth and her interactions with the supporting characters add depth to the story, making you care about their fates and the secrets they hold. The romance is subtle yet satisfying, adding an extra layer of warmth to the narrative.
Overall, "The Bookshop of Secrets" is a heart warming and intriguing read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and mystery. Kerry Barrett has crafted a delightful tale that reminds us of the power of books to connect us to the past and to each other.
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Lara travels to Portugal to trace her dead mother’s family but finds a new career after the theft of her money and passport leave her destitute. She is recruited by a government dept to feed misinformation to the Nazi war machine. Her life is complicated when she rescues an officer being savagely beaten by his colleagues and then they go on to a mission involving Edward and Wallis Simpson. A frothy story, which was a quick and easy read. One thing really jarred on me though, she received a letter from her cousin who flew planes in the RAF and I don’t believe it would have made it past the censor. But I can forgive that in an entertaining story.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll be totally honest, I chose this book because it’s set in Lisbon, it’s that simple! Lisbon is a city brimming with life, music and joy, and in this book, secrets!
The cast of characters were all so lovable and rich, I wished I was in the room with them sharing jokes and beers!
The setting felt alive and immersive and the storytelling brought a sense of hope and whimsy to a wartime tale.
I found this totally heartwarming and would recommend anyone read it!